Can someone from AZ explain to me the personal property tax? What does it amount to? The "all types of property except real estate" scares me.

Quote:

Arizona also taxes personal property, which is defined as all types of property except real estate. Taxable personal property includes property used for commercial, industrial and agricultural purposes. Personal property is considered to be movable and not permanently attached to real estate. For details, click here.

Also, that vehicle tax seems steep. is it really that bad?

A personal property manual is available which contains information regarding the identification and valuation of locally assessed personal property, taxpayer reporting requirements, valuation tables, and descriptions of the methods of making value adjustments that are used in the assessment of many kinds of personal property. The manual describes a wide variety of personal property items, including information on the identification and valuation of mobile home and manufactured housing units. An explanation of the personal property appeal process (which differs in some respects from the real property appeal process) is also included. For details, click here.

In lieu of a personal property tax on automobiles, the state imposes an annual motor vehicle license tax. There is a $4.00 title fee; an $8.00 registration fee; plus an air quality research fee of $1.50; and a vehicle license tax (VLT) assessed in place of a personal property tax charged by other states. There may also be a weight fee and commercial registration fee, if the vehicle is registered as commercial. The VLT is based on an assessed value of 60% of the manufacturer's base retail price reduced by 16.25% for each year since the vehicle was first registered in Arizona (15% before 8/1/98). Then, as of the Dec. 1, 2000 reduction, the rate is calculated as $2.80 (new vehicles)/$2.98 (used vehicles) for each $100 of the assessed value. For example, for a new vehicle that costs $25,000, the first year assessed value would be $15,000 and the VLT would be $420.00. The second year the assessed value would be $12,562.50 and the VLT would be $363.06. For a mobile home the title fee is $7.00 per section or unit. Call 800-251-5866 for details. For information on property tax relief for seniors, click here.

Also, the info listed for NV at http://retirementliving.com/RLstate1.html is promising... i.e. No state income tax and Retirement Income: Not taxed, but what about that personal property crap again. How bad is it?

This isn't abnormal as lots of states have the same thing, California in fact . Your home state probably didn't have it and while in the military you are exempt from it regardless of where you are. Basically you pay taxes on all your vehicles every year to register it in that state. How much depends on the make, model, year, and estimated value of the vehicle. Depending on where you settle in AZ you can also be subject to emission testing which is of course more money.

Being military you have just been paying a flat tax for registering your vehicle in whatever state. That's not the case for civilians if their state has property taxes that include vehicles.

This isn't abnormal as lots of states have the same thing, California in fact . Your home state probably didn't have it and while in the military you are exempt from it regardless of where you are. Basically you pay taxes on all your vehicles every year to register it in that state. How much depends on the make, model, year, and estimated value of the vehicle. Depending on where you settle in AZ you can also be subject to emission testing which is of course more money.

Being military you have just been paying a flat tax for registering your vehicle in whatever state. That's not the case for civilians if their state has property taxes that include vehicles.

I'm worried less about the vehicle thing than I am about the personal property taxes. Can you elaborate on that one for me?

If you don't plan on operating a business than don't worry about it. As active duty you are exempt from paying any state income tax if you claim tax residency here, and you pay greatly reduced income tax if you are a retired vet. As a resident of Arizona and active duty military, however, I still find myself paying the full registration fee on my motorcycle and the Jeep- only nonresidents can claim the military tax waiver while living here.

If you don't plan on operating a business than don't worry about it. As active duty you are exempt from paying any state income tax if you claim tax residency here, and you pay greatly reduced income tax if you are a retired vet. As a resident of Arizona and active duty military, however, I still find myself paying the full registration fee on my motorcycle and the Jeep- only nonresidents can claim the military tax waiver while living here.

So, the "personal property tax" is for businesses? Wouldn't that be called a "business property tax"? I'm confused.

FWIW, I'm talking about after retirement. I highly doubt I'll get stationed in AZ. Not many jobs in my career field out there.

When I moved here 4 years ago, the MVD assest my 05 5th wheel travel trailer for $10,000 more that I paid for it new. Go figure. I told the clerk it would be nice if I could sell it for that. No comment from her.